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In sports, nothing compares to winning it all and lifting the trophy into the air. In motorsports, specifically the Indianapolis 500, having your face engraved on the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of INDYCAR’s highest honors.
Spanning a World War and 82 500-mile races, the Borg-Warner Trophy is still a sight to behold. It is the only physical award that has the winner’s face engraved on it each year.
With hardware of such importance and fame comes many defining moments that some motorsports fans may not know about. Learn more about the development of the famous Borg-Warner Trophy over the years ahead of Sunday’s 110th running of the Indy 500 (12:30 p.m. ET on FOX).
1. The trophy weighs over 100 pounds and is over 5 feet tall
The trophy isn’t something you can carry on the floor of the passenger seat, but it’s big enough to compare to a human. The trophy measures approximately 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 110 pounds.
The tradition of the trophy is to add a carved physical face to it.
Originally, the trophy measured 4 feet 3 inches with room for 70 winners. As the tradition progressed, the trophy changed size twice, once in 1987 and again in 2004, to allow additional space for winners until 2033.
2. There are 104 faces carved into the trophies, but only 101 races were completed
How is it possible that there are 104 faces carved into the trophy, but only 101 races have been completed? This is because occasionally multiple drivers share a winning car, allocating space for both drivers if they cross the finish line first.
The trophy was first introduced in 1931 even though the first race began in 1911. Even with 20 years of previous winners, the face tradition began the year it was introduced, as Louis Meyer was the first face to be engraved. Ironically, the three-time winner was also at the forefront of the iconic milk celebration tradition.
3. How much does the trophy cost?
Considering that the 110-pound trophy is made entirely of sterling silver, the trophy comes with a hefty price tag.
Currently, the trophy is valued at $3.5 million. Originally, when the trophy initially weighed 80 pounds and stood 52 inches tall, it was listed at $10,000.
4. The winner takes home a 14-inch replica
While Indy 500 winners pose next to the sterling silver award after victory, the trophy actually returns to its home at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Drivers return home with hardware known as the “Baby Borg,” an exact 14-inch replica of the real Borg-Warner trophy.
What’s worth noting is that Baby Borg hasn’t existed since Borg-Warner was introduced. It was headlined by four-time winner Ricky Mears in 1989.
Drivers still came home with something instead of nothing. In 1936, winners received a small wooden plaque with their name engraved on it and a half replica of the trophy. Mears’ idea soon came to life in 1989 when he received the 14-inch replica with his name, the winning year and his face engraved on the trophy’s socket.
5. Origin of the naked man on top of the trophy
The main spectacle of the Borg-Warner trophy is the etched faces, but what if there was a funny story behind the naked man on top of the trophy?
The top of the trophy includes a completely naked man (yes, completely naked) waving a checkered flag. But why is he completely naked? The design was inspired by a Greek athlete who used to compete naked. The Borg-Warner trophy embodies the Olympic spirit, which is why the trophy mascot is shown naked.
6. How many repeated faces are there?
Of the total 112 Borg-Warner trophy faces, there are 35 repeat faces from multiple winners. And yes, they remake the exact face on that same winning base if they repeat the winner.
Some drivers have won four times (Helio Castroneves, AJ Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears), three times (Louis Meyer, Mauri Rose and Wilbur Shaw) and 12 drivers have appeared twice.
